Thursday, June 23, 2011

Weathered Work

I stopped in at my blog and noticed I hadn’t posted since Saturday! It isn’t that I’m ignoring my blog—it’s just that my unemployed days are not empty. I wake early to go through my email job notices (apply or not), and then work on a combination of my poetry e-book, website, homework or my novel revisions.

Like the title of my post, my weathered (tough, windswept, worn) work has coincided with Chicago weather. As soon as I think it’s okay to head outside, the clouds roll in and the rain comes down. Every time I think I have the formatting perfected with my e-book, I view it and something is off kilter.

This week I’m working on my poetry e-book for publication within the next week or two. I can’t begin to explain how crazy tough it is to create a book. Not only did I have to choose the poems and edit them, but I want it appealing so I changed formatting and added pictures. I’m hoping these additives will help readers interpret my poems and keep on reading. Of course, not all my formatting converted properly, which forced me to remove some of it. I’m not complaining about creating it—having fun—although decision making and formatting is taking more time than anticipated.

My poetry e-book, Sipping a Mix of Verse, will be available on Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and Smashwords. I want it accessible to everyone, not just those who own a kindle or nook (because I don’t have one). Poetry isn’t a high reading genre; however, I hope my poetry will convert some non-poetry readers into enjoying the beauty of it. I think some people find poetry intimidating—mainly due to interpretation—but readers can enjoy poetry without worrying about what the author means. Take it for how it affects them individually.

6 comments:

I'm excited you are taking the self-pubbing plunge! I may have to hit you up for help someday. If you are looking for an exciting life - move along. There's nothing to see here! Read. Edit. Query. Shampoo, rinse, repeat here. SSDD.

Thanks, AB. I wanted to do this for my poetry book. I'm excited about the book, yet scared as heck about poor reviews...But that's what writers have to deal with so while I'm working on my book I decided to grow some thick skin. :D

Wow Bea! I can hardly wait to see and read them. As always I wish you much success. Let’s see if you spark my interest in reading poetry. Being now retired I’ve been exploring doing things that have been way, way on the back burner. Things that I’ve kind of not made time for or ignored that could turn out to be enjoyable. So here is my opportunity in enjoying poetry.

One of my recent ventures is golf lessons, my very first in over 40 years. I have golfed two to three times a year all these years and just hacked away. I have enjoyed the accompanying friends and being outdoors, but always disappointed about having many more bad shots then good ones. One friend I have golfed with, who generates a lot of humor in all areas of life, keeps a large bright pair of women’s panties in his golf bag. When someone tees up and can’t hit past the woman’s tee, he brings them out and says it’s time for that person to wear them. LOL! Yes funny, but embarrassing.

Anyway I completed lesson four yesterday and can’t wait to get on the driving range again. My instructor has shown me the science of the golf swing. I never knew that it’s mostly in the wrists. Most surprising is gripping the club lightly and swinging softly makes the ball go much farther. All the opposite of what I thought. No wonder I was so bad. I’m excited that I’m better at golf than I was. I am not great, but remarkably better and more consistent. So chalk one up to improving the fun in life.

Thanks Veejay. I’m glad to hear you’re going to take the opportunity in enjoying poetry.

Golf lessons! That is great. Your friend is hilarious to bring women’s panties with him. Now I’m wondering if you’ve been playing golf wearing those panties all these years. LOL! I know I’d be wearing them since I haven’t been on a golf course in many years. I always enjoyed golf.

It’s interesting about it all being in the wrists. I know keeping your wrists seven and holding the club lightly is good, but I always thought it had to do with stance and watching the ball. Every time I take my eyes off the ball as I swing, I miss it. Thanks for the tip. ;)

How exciting that you're working on formatting and oh-so-close to publishing! I'm glad you're including pictures. I'm one who doesn't readily read poetry (since it's YOU, of course I will read it!) but I think pictures complete the whole artistic package. And Bea...I LOVE the title! Sipping a Mix of Verse has such a nice ring to it.

And btw, good for you, for tackling the formatting on your own! I'd rather poke my eyes out with a fork than attempt any such thing. :P Can't wait for the finished product! :)

Thank you so much, and I’m glad you are willing to read my poetry. It’s sweet of you. Yeah, I thought pictures—visuals—are an added touch …and as you so beautiful state, “complete the whole artistic package.” WOOHOO! I love the title too. When I came up with it, I asked my long time friend what she thought and she liked it. I thought it was fitting.

Barb, the formatting is crazy. You have to make sure it’s formatted for each medium. *sighs* But it’s part of the process and I am truly enjoying it.

I appreciate your kind words, and I’m looking forward to sharing my works with everyone.